System and methods for indicating a referee penalty flag

ABSTRACT

There is provided systems and methods for enhancing the viewing enjoyment by spectators of a sports game conducted on a playing between two teams of opposing players, and in which at least one referee is present for the purpose of observing any infractions of rules of the game and indicating such an infraction and which team committed the infraction. The systems and methods may include automatic detection of a called penalty and which team is called for the penalty. The systems and methods may also use transmitters which are activated whenever a predetermined event, such as a penalty, is called, and receivers disposed around the playing field to detect that a penalty was called and on which team the call was made. The systems and methods may also use transmitters which are activated by spotters when a predetermined event, such as a penalty, is called, and receivers wirelessly coupled to the stadium scoreboard and/or the television system. An indication of the rules infraction and the team committing the infraction may then be displayed or communicated to viewers immediately.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/734,565, filed on Jan. 4,2013 which in turn, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/583,240, filed on Jan. 5, 2012,both of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entireties.

BACKGROUND

In the game of American football as well as other games, after a playhas commenced, there often occur rule infractions by one or more playersof the competing teams. In football, referees are uses to monitor theplay of the game and call penalties for rules infractions. It has becomecustomary for one or more referees to drop a flag on the ground upon thereferee's observation of a rules infraction. However, the fans,audience, announcers or others viewing the game do not know which teamthe penalty is against, requiring the referee to take time to signal theinfraction and team that it is against, either by hand signals and/orvocally via a broadcasting system. It also may be that the calling of apenalty may not be immediately seen by the viewers, either thosespectators at the playing field, a television audience or others.

It would be desirable to provide a system and methods for communicatingnot only the occurrence of a rules infraction during a football game orthe like, but also which team the rules infraction or penalty is calledagainst in an immediate manner to better allow the fans and viewers tofollow the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a system and methods are set forth wherebythe spectators are apprised of the action of one or more referees inthrowing the flag on the playing field to indicate whether the penaltyis against the home or away team. Thus, the spectators immediately knowof a rules infraction and which team it was on, to better follow andenjoy the game. In one example, the system and methods include using twodistinct flags carried by the referee, one indicating penalty againstthe home team and one indicating a penalty against the away team. Forexample, the referee may carry a first color flag which when thrownindicates a home team penalty, and a second color flag indicating anaway team penalty. Alternatively or in addition, one or two penaltyflags may have a switch and/or radio frequency transmitter, such thatupon activation by a referee, a signal is communicated to a receiver ofa penalty against the home or away team, and an indication of thepenalty and which team it is against is communicated to fans in thestadium or watching on television or the like. For example, the throwingof the flag may actuate the communication that may be sensed by a nearbyreceiver, with the receiver in turn coupled to the stadium scoreboardand/or to television system where an appropriate indication that apenalty against the home or away team has been called. Similarly, othergames also include referees or other officials to determine ifviolations of rules have been committed by opposing teams, such as insoccer. Alternatively, a spotter, listening to communications betweeneach referee and the head referee, may determine which team a penalty isagainst and quickly communicate such penalty via a transmitter andreceiver, with the receiver in turn wirelessly coupled to the stadiumscoreboard and/or the television system where an appropriate indicationthat a penalty against the home or away team has been called. Theinvention may also allow for an indication of offensive/defensivepenalty or against which team the infraction has been called for suchgames.

This invention thus relates to systems and methods for enhancing theviewing enjoyment of sports audiences, particularly those viewing thegame of football. The invention also exhibits utility in any sportwherein one or more referees signal the occurrence of an infraction ofthe rules of the game by the dropping of a flag or other object onto theground. The invention is directed to transmitting the occurrence of anevent upon a playing field, such as in football, to the live fans aswell as to a television viewing audience.

These and other aspects of the invention will be understood in moredetail in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures in the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of first and second penalty flagscarried by a referee for indicating an offensive/defensive penalty oragainst which team the infraction has been called.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a penalty communication systemincluding transmitting and receiving systems for indicating anoffensive/defensive penalty or against which team the infraction hasbeen called.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative example of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus of an alternative example of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, there is shown an example of a system 10 according to theinvention. A referee 12 carries a first penalty flag 20 and a secondpenalty flag 30. The flag 20 may be of a first color, such as yellow orred, while the second flag 30 may be of a second color, such as green orblue. The first flag 20 may be used by the referee 12 to indicate apenalty against the home team while the second flag 30 may be used toindicate a penalty against the away team. The system 10 enhances theviewing enjoyment of the sports audience, both in the stadium live, aswell as for those viewing the game on television of the like. Theinvention also exhibits utility in any sport wherein one or morereferees signal the occurrence of an infraction of the rules of the gameby the dropping or using a flag or other object. The invention isdirected to transmitting the occurrence of a penalty event upon aplaying field, such as in football, and to indicate the team againstwhich the infraction was called.

Although different color flags 20 and 30 may be used, other distinctiveindicators may be used if desired, such as a flag or like object withdifferent color LED's or other light source, which indicates the team onwhich the penalty is called. Other indicators may be used, such as anarrow or other directional indicator to point toward the team that thepenalty is called on. Other suitable indicators may be used.

In a further example, the invention may be implemented by usingindicators that electronically communicate the occurrence of and whichteam a penalty is called on by a referee. In FIG. 2, a playing field 50(such as a football field) is surrounded by television cameras 52.Cameramen located at each camera view different parts of the play orview the same play but at different angles. Video images from televisioncameras 52 are transmitted to a control center 54. Each of the videoimages is viewable on a monitor 60, where an operator may watch theimages from all the monitors. Upon the occurrence of a penalty, theoperator may determine the team against which the penalty was called viaa system 10, and may cause an indication of the penalty and team againstwhich it was called on the broadcast signal to provide information tothe viewing audience. Particularly, for television viewers, the abilityto provide this information as to the occurrence of and who a penaltywas against greatly enhances the viewing experience, and alleviatespossible confusion. Alternatively to the operator determining theoccurrence of and who a penalty was against, this could be doneautomatically by a detection system 56 associated with the television orother image generating system. The detection system 56 could operate toautomatically detect the color of the flag thrown by a referee toprovide the indication to the viewers.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as another alternative, each flag 20 and 30may have a switch 70 associated therewith, that is in turn coupled to atransmitter 72, such as an RF transmitter. The switch 70 may beactivated by the referee upon calling a penalty and throwing the flag.Actuation of the switch 70 may be automatic upon removal from thereferee's pocket for example, such as by a displacement switch that isbiased to the open position upon becoming unrestrained in the referee'spocket or the like. Alternatively, a switch 70 may not be needed, andthe removal of a flag from a stored position may be sensed to activatethe signal indicating a penalty has been called, and which team hascommitted the penalty. In such an example, the referee may carry thetransmitter 72, and sends a signal upon removal of the flag or indicatorfrom the stored position. The sensing of removal of a flag from itsstored position may be made in any suitable manner, such as by a switchor the unmaking of an electrical connection made between the flag andanother connector when in the stored position. Any suitable arrangementmay be used to activate the switch 70 and/or transmitter 72 if no switchis provided.

A penalty, or any other predetermined event, may occur anywhere onplaying field 50. Therefore, various receivers 74 are provided aroundthe areas of play on field 50, which are in turn coupled to a controlsystem 76. Each transmitter 72 may emit electromagnetic radiation suchas radio frequency waves, which are detected at one or more receivers.Upon detecting a transmission from a transmitter 72, the control systemmay provide an indication of a penalty and which team the penalty hasbeen called on immediately. For example, the control system 76 maydetect a signal from a transmitter 72 and generate a flag image and teamindicator which is superimposed upon all of the images appearing on atelevision broadcast, and/or playing field or in-stadium communicationsystem such as a scoreboard, video monitors, audio broadcast system orotherwise. Any other suitable indicator may be used as desired, whichmay be audible, visual, or otherwise. For example, whenever anytransmitter is activated, a flag image and team indicator may bedisplayed to immediately indicate a penalty and team against which itwas called. This indicator, such as a flag image may appear in anydesired area of the video display. For the video (television) broadcastfor example, the viewer will immediately be notified of a penalty beingcalled, such as by seeing a video image of the flag image and teamindicator. It should be understood that varying numbers of receivers 74may be used according to the venue and/or game being played.

If multiple penalties are called, each of the transmitters 20 and 30 maybe distinct, and the control system may generate flag images and teamindicators for each. For example, each transmitter may be codedaccording to predetermined frequency, such that upon receiving a signalfrom a transmitter, the control system 76 can determine whichtransmitter has been activated. Each transmitter may be made to operateon a different frequency if desired. Alternatively, coding may beaccomplished by modulating each transmitted signal differently.

Modulation modes include amplitude modulation, frequency modulation,pulse width modulation, and any other modulation mode. This informationmay be transmitted to the control system 76. This system may also beuseful in analyzing the calls of a particular referee over a game ormultiple games, with a particular referees flags being individuallyidentifiable. In this manner, data on a referee may be gathered and usedin a variety of ways, such as for quality control, training or otherpurposes. For example, the information could be used in refereeanalysis, such as providing detailed statistical data, detailedperformance trends or the like. The invention may also enable objectiveanalysis of the performance of referee or game officials from game togame and across entire seasons. This may allow officials and others toidentify areas in need of improvement and develop personalized trainingprograms for individual referees or officials.

In some cases, it may also be desirable to indicate where the penaltywas called on the field 50, and the control system 76 may be configuredto determine this based on the location of the transmitter(s) 72 whenactivated. This location may be determined by triangulation techniquesbased on the transmitted signal being received at multiple receivers 74,by GPS or other suitable system. The location may be suitably indicatedto the viewer such as on a video display or otherwise.

It also may be desirable to immediately indicate the player on whom thepenalty was called, and the system may further include a transmitter 78that may be carried by a referee, to communicate the number or otherinformation to identify the player on whom the penalty was called. Thecontrol system 76 may then provide an indication of the offending playeralong with the indication of a penalty and which team it is on.

As shown in FIG. 4, as another alternative, the invention may beimplemented by using indicators that electronically communicate to thescoreboard and television control system which team a penalty is calledon by an official. Upon the occurrence of a penalty, a spotter listeningto communications between each referee and the head referee maydetermine who a penalty was against, and quickly communicate suchpenalty via a transmitter 80 and receiver 82. The spotter transmissionsystem alerts fans faster than previous systems and thus enhances theviewing enjoyment by spectators of the sports audience, both in thestadium live and for those viewing the game on television or the like.In accordance with this embodiment, also provided is a system forenhancing the viewing enjoyment by spectators of a sports game betweenfirst and second competitors in which at least two officials are presentfor the purpose of observing any infractions of rules of the game. Thesystem includes a spotter monitoring audio communications betweenofficials regarding an infraction that has been called against acompetitor, wherein upon observing any infractions of rules of the game,one official communicates such infraction committed by a competitor toanother official by using an audio communication system. The system mayinclude at least one indicator possessed by a spotter monitoringcommunications between officials. The at least one indicator may becapable of indicating whether the first or second competitors committedthe infraction. Upon hearing any infractions of rules of the game, thespotter may indicate which competitor the infraction is against by usingthe at least one indicator. In certain embodiments, the at least oneindicator may comprise first and second indicators each having adistinctive characteristic relative to the other indicator. In certainembodiments, the game is football, the competitors are first and secondcompetitors, and the distinctive characteristics are first and secondcolors for indicating against which competitor the infraction has beencalled. In further embodiments, the at least one indicator may include atransmitter for transmitting a signal indicating which competitorcommitted the infraction, at least one receiver to receive the signalfrom the transmitter which is coupled to a control system whichgenerates an indication of the competitor against which the infractionwas called to the viewers of the game. Upon the occurrence of theinfraction, the spotter selects the at least one indicator correspondingto the competitor which committed the infraction. The at least oneindicator may include a transmitter such as a radio transmitter, whichis actuated by the spotter upon learning which competitor committed theinfraction. The system may further include at least one spectator vieweddisplay (for example, including and not limited to a scoreboard,television screen, computer screen and a mobile personal digitalassistant screen) wherein the generated indicator is generated on thedisplay.

It should be clear that the invention provides a way of enhancingspectator enjoyment of football or other sports. The systems and methodsaccording to the various examples of the invention allow for immediaterecognition of both that a penalty has been called and on which team itis called. Thus, the spectators know that the play may be called back,even though the players themselves may not be aware that a flag has beendropped to signal a rules infraction.

The invention has been described with reference to alternate examples.Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of theinvention provided herein. This invention is intended to include allsuch modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scopeof the present invention. Further, the “invention” as that term is usedin this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. Theright to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosedherein as other inventions in other patent documents is herebyunconditionally reserved.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

I claim:
 1. A system for enhancing the viewing enjoyment by spectatorsof a sports game having competitors in which at least one official ispresent for the purpose of observing any infractions of rules of thegame, the official signifying an infraction of the rules, comprising, afirst flag or other indicator carried by the official having a firstdistinctive characteristic, a second flag or other indicator carried bythe official having a second distinctive characteristic, wherein uponobserving any infractions of rules of the game, the official indicatessuch infraction by using the first or second flag or other indicator, toindicate to viewers that an infraction has occurred and which competitorthe infraction has been called upon.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first and second distinctive characteristics are first and secondcolors or patterns for indicating an offensive or defensive infractionor against which competitor the infraction has been called.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising at least one camera for generatingvideo images of the game, wherein an indication of the calling of arules infraction is generated upon seeing the first or second flag orother indicator, and generating an indication on a display and/orplaying field communication system to indicate to viewers that aninfraction has occurred and which competitor the infraction has beencalled upon.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising an imagesensing system to automatically detect the calling of a rules infractionby determining the presence of the first and/or second flag or otherindicator on the playing field, and generating the indication that aninfraction has occurred and which competitor the infraction has beencalled upon.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the game is football andthe competitors are first and second teams, and the distinctivecharacteristics are first and second colors for indicating an offensiveor defensive infraction or against which team the infraction has beencalled.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondindicators include a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative ofa rules infraction and the competitor which committed the rulesinfraction, at least one receiver to receive the signal from thetransmitter, being coupled to a control system, wherein the controlsystem generates an indication that a rules infraction has occurred andthe competitor against which the infraction was called to the viewers ofthe game.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the transmitter isa radio transmitter carried by the at least one indicator, the radiotransmitter being actuated upon removal of the indicator from a storedposition.
 8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the transmitter isa radio transmitter carried by the official, the radio transmitter beingactuated by removal of the indicator from a stored position.
 9. Thesystem according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to sense theuse of the at least one indicator by the official.
 10. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a switch to sense removal ofthe at least one indicator from a stored position.
 11. A system forindicating infractions of rules of a game between first and secondcompetitors, comprising, at least one indicator carried by an officialmonitoring the game for rules infractions to use to signify aninfraction of the rules, the at least one indicator being capable ofindicating an infraction by each of the first and second competitors andwhich competitor committed the infraction, wherein upon observing anyinfractions of rules of the game, the official indicates such infractionby using the at least one indicator, to indicate to viewers that aninfraction has occurred and which competitor committed the infraction.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one indicator is firstand second indicators each having a distinctive characteristic relativeto the other indicator.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the game isfootball and the competitors are first and second competitors, and thedistinctive characteristics are first and second colors for indicatingan offensive or defensive infraction or against which competitor theinfraction has been called.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the atleast one indicator includes a transmitter for transmitting a signalindicative of a rules infraction and the competitor which committed therules infraction, at least one receiver to receive the signal from thetransmitter, being coupled to a control system, wherein the controlsystem generates an indication that a rules infraction has occurred andthe competitor against which the infraction was called to the viewers ofthe game.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the transmitteris a radio transmitter carried by the at least one indicator, the radiotransmitter being actuated upon removal of the indicator from a storedposition.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the transmitteris a radio transmitter carried by the official, the radio transmitterbeing actuated by removal of the indicator from a stored position. 17.The system according to claim 11, further comprising at least onespectator viewed display, wherein the generated indicator is generatedon the display.
 18. The system according to claim 11, further comprisinga mechanism to sense the use of the at least one indicator by theofficial.
 19. The system according to claim 11, further comprising aswitch to sense removal of the at least one indicator from a storedposition.
 20. A system for enhancing the viewing enjoyment by spectatorsof a sports game between first and second competitors in which at leasttwo officials are present for the purpose of observing any infractionsof rules of the game, comprising, a spotter monitoring audiocommunications between officials regarding an infraction that has beencalled against a competitor, wherein upon observing any infractions ofrules of the game, one official communicates such infraction committedby a competitor to another official by using an audio communicationsystem.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein at least one indicatorpossessed by a spotter monitoring communications between officials, theat least one indicator being capable of indicating whether the first orsecond competitors committed the infraction, wherein upon hearing anyinfractions of rules of the game, the spotter indicates which competitorthe infraction is against by using the at least one indicator.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the at least one indicator comprises firstand second indicators each having a distinctive characteristic relativeto the other indicator.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the game isfootball and the competitors are first and second competitors, and thedistinctive characteristics are first and second colors for indicatingagainst which competitor the infraction has been called.
 24. The systemof claim 21, wherein the at least one indicator includes a transmitterfor transmitting a signal indicating which competitor committed theinfraction, wherein the system includes at least one receiver to receivethe signal from the transmitter, being coupled to a control system, andwherein the control system generates an indication of the competitoragainst which the infraction was called to the viewers of the game. 25.The system of claim 24, wherein upon the occurrence of the infraction,the spotter selecting the at least one indicator corresponding to thecompetitor which committed the infraction and wherein the transmitter onthe at least one indicator is a radio transmitter, the radio transmitterbeing actuated by the spotter upon learning which competitor committedthe infraction.
 26. The system of claim 21, further comprising at leastone spectator viewed display, wherein the generated indicator isgenerated on the display.
 27. A method for enhancing the viewingenjoyment by spectators of a sports game of two teams of opposingplayers, and in which at least one official is present for the purposeof observing and indicating any infractions of rules of the game,comprising, providing the referee with first and second indicatorshaving first and second distinctive characteristics associatedtherewith, each of the first and second distinctive characteristicsrespectively, wherein upon observing any infractions of rules of thegame, the referee indicates such infraction by using the first or secondindicator, to indicate to viewers that an infraction has occurred andwhich team the infraction has been called upon.